NDA Set for Comfortable Victory in Bihar, Strengthening Position in Hindi Heartland

NEW DELHI (2025-11-14) – Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is projected to secure a comfortable victory in the Bihar Assembly elections, according to initial vote counts. The anticipated win in this populous and politically significant state is poised to bolster Modi's standing, particularly after a less than stellar performance in last year's national elections.

The counting of votes for all 243 assembly seats commenced today amid tight security. Trends so far indicate a strong lead for the NDA, suggesting a potential landslide victory. In contrast, the Mahagathbandhan, the primary opposition alliance, appears to be underperforming.

As of Friday morning, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was leading in approximately 80 seats, while the Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)) was ahead in around 83. Other NDA constituents, such as the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) (LJP(RV)), were also showing promising results, leading in 23 seats. On the other hand, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) was leading in 36, and the Congress party in only 6.

The Bihar election saw a historic voter turnout of 67.13%, the highest since 1951, demonstrating significant public engagement in the democratic process. This figure marks a substantial increase of 9.6 percentage points compared to the previous assembly elections.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has deployed significant resources to ensure the integrity of the vote counting process. Across the state, 243 Returning Officers, assisted by Counting Observers, are overseeing the process in the presence of candidates and their authorized agents. Over 18,000 counting agents are monitoring the process to ensure fairness and transparency. Security measures are also robust, with an adequate number of Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) and Bihar Police personnel deployed across the state, along with CCTV surveillance.

The NDA's expected victory is particularly significant given the state's crucial position in the Indian Hindi heartland. Winning Bihar provides momentum and strengthens the alliance's influence in a region that is politically decisive. The outcome is especially noteworthy for incumbent Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who is aiming for a record tenth term in office.

While the NDA celebrates its likely win, the Mahagathbandhan, led by Tejashwi Yadav, faces a significant setback. Despite efforts to galvanize support, the opposition alliance has struggled to gain traction against the incumbent coalition.

Political analysts suggest that the NDA's victory can be attributed to a combination of factors, including effective campaigning, social outreach programs, and a perceived lack of cohesion within the opposition ranks. The BJP's focus on nationalistic themes and development initiatives also resonated with a significant portion of the electorate.

The official results will be available on the Election Commission of India's results portal. The ECI has cautioned the public and media to rely solely on official sources for accurate and verified updates, warning against misinformation from unofficial sources.